Chapter 6: General Holofernes is convinced that he will be victorious over the Israelites, because in his opinion, Nebuchadnezer is above the God of the Israelites. Achior is begin grouped with the Isrealites for speaking as he did about the wonders of God and is ordered to go to Bethulia, the hometown of Judith! (I didn't want to give a "spoiler" last week, so I'll tell you now that Achior means 'brother of light').
In Bethulia, Achior meets Uzziah, the Chief of Bethulia. Achior is questioned by Uzziah before all the inhabitants of Behtulia. He retells his tale about warning Holofernes and is accepted by the Israelites. That night Uzziah leads his people in prayer. (Uzziah means 'the Lord is my strength').
Chapter 7: Holofernes orders his troops to surround the mountain and cut off the water supply to Bethulia. The people of Bethulia are thirsty and frustrated. They go to Uzziah, asking him to surrender, but he will not - stating God will not forsake them. The people agreed, but were still very miserable.
In Chapter 8 we are finally introduced to JUDITH! (Her name means 'the Jewess') She is a beautiful widow, who is devout and kind. When she learns of the harsh words from her people, regarding their thirst, she sends her maid to summon two elders of her town. Take note that the men come to her, not the other way around!
Once the elders arrive, Judith points out the people's sin of interpose with God. Her point is that you CANNOT lay down conditions with God. She reminds how God tested their ancestors and says that He is now testing them! Uzziah agrees with her and asks that she pray for her people, but Judith says she will do one better - she will rescue Israel!
Chapter 9: Judith throws herself to the ground and prays to God regarding the transgressions of Holofernes on her people - specifically talking about Simeon, her ancestor, that God helped. She is pleading for God to aid her in her desired mission to stop the Assyrian army.
"Observe their arrogance, send your fury on their heads, give the strength I have in mind to this widow's hand" Judith 9:9
Judith is preparing for battle in Chapter 10, but not in a fashion we might be used to seeing. Instead of putting on armor and weapons, she is dressing up - removing her widow's dress, to put on her best looking outfit.
"She put sandals on her feet, put on her necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and all her jewellery, and made herself beautiful enough to beguile the eye of any man who saw her." Judith 10:4
Why? Judith IS the weapon! She knows she is beautiful, she knows the power she has over men (remember the elders came to her) and most of all she knows that God is with her.
She prays one last time, before ordering the men to lift the gates of Bethulia, so that she and her maid may set out on the mission God expressed to her. *Notice the men do as she orders!
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